Do the Benefits of Christmas Outweigh its Harms: Study

Christmas season is linked to preventable harms from tree decorations, cards, and presents, as well as overeating and overdrinking. Given the balance of benefits and harms, Christmas may not be cost effective, reports a new study. The findings of the study are published in the journal The BMJ.

In the Christmas issue, Robin Ferner and Jeffrey Aronson dig out some cautionary tales from the archives.

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‘Experts investigate festive health risks and finds that Christmas season is associated with preventable harms. ’

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They find that Christmas cards can be a potential source of harm. In 1876 a young man developed arsenic poisoning after painting festive cards with the highly toxic Scheele's Green paint. More recently, a woman amputated her finger tip while posting Christmas cards through the spring-loaded flap of a letter box.

Injuries from falls while decking the house with Christmas lights are common - and a reminder not to get on ladders - they may tip when you're tipsy.

Items swallowed unintentionally can also pose problems, they write. Bulbs from Christmas lights, sharp pointed confetti stars, and Christmas tree shaped decorations, have all found their way down toddlers' throats and have had to be removed.

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Christmas’s emphasis on sharing and loved ones makes it special, but it also makes it harder for some. Depression at Christmas time has become increasingly problematic but can be easily kept at bay.

Christmas trees, too, can bring pain as well as pleasure. Pine needles can penetrate the lungs, causing breathing difficulties, and branches can poke you in the eye, causing corneal abrasion. Burns from candles are also common (at least in Bern, Switzerland, where it is customary to light candles on Christmas trees).

Christmas presents pose unforeseen dangers too, they add - for example, a pet hamster spread lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, while Haitian bongo drums carried anthrax bacilli in their goatskin hides.

Prevent Christmas Injuries
Christmas injuries can ruin the holiday season, but with a little effort you can prevent Christmas injuries altogether. Get tips on Christmas safety for this festive season.

Excessive eating and drinking too much alcohol can not only increase waistlines, but also trigger outbreaks of gastroenteritis and salmonella infection and cause heart complaints ("holiday heart syndrome").

Finally, some people take advantage of the Christmas holidays to enjoy outdoor pursuits, at least in warmer climes. In Australia, Christmas brings an increase in catastrophic injuries from jet skiing.

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So is it worth it, ask the authors?

In 2002, researchers analysed the cost effectiveness of Christmas and concluded that "Christmas is not cost effective."

But cost effectiveness is not everything, they say. "Most of our sources are anecdotal, and we did not find strong evidence of widespread adverse effects. So we will leave you to decide whether the benefits of Christmas outweigh its harms."

In conclusion, they say "Stay safe, keep calm, carry on, and enjoy a very Merry Christmas!"

Source-Eurekalert